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No. 562,241. Patented June 16, 1896.

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No. 562,241. Patented June 16, 1896.

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- No. 562,241. Patented June- 16:, 1896.

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\ P. T. REESE & G. A. WILLIS. COMBINED SLEEPING AND PARLOR GAR.

No. 562,241. Patented June 16, 18796.

UNITED STATES PATENT @EEICE.

FRANKLIN T. REESE AND CHARLES A. WILLIS, OF CARNEGIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINED SLEEPING AND PARLOR CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,241, dated June 16, 1896. Application filed November 21, 1895. Serial No- 569,'710. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom/ it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANKLIN T. REESE and CHARLES AWVILLIS, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Carnegie, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsyl- Vania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Sleeping and Parlor Car, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates generally to certain new and useful improvements in a combined sleeping and parlor car, and more particularly to sleeping-berths such as are employed in railway-cars, boats, vessels and other conveyances, or in buildings where economy of space is required.

The invention has for its object to form a combination parlor and sleeping car that will preserve the interior appearance, respectively, of a parlor and sleeping car, thereby greatly reducing the cost of the necessary rolling-stock, and therefore requiring less motive power for transportation and securing economy in fuel, labor, &c.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination parlor and sleeping car which will not be limited as to the height of the windows, as is the case in all other forms of construction; furthermore, to provide a berth that can be erected quickly and that will be extremely simple, and constructed without destroying the symmetrical lines of the car.

A still further object of our invention is to construct a car of the above-described classv whereby the mechanism for operating and forming the berths is constructed so as to completely hide the identity of a sleepingcar when the same is in use as a parlor-car, and is capable of being folded compactly in a minimum amount of space, permitting the use of the car alternately for the aforesaid purposes and embodying the conveniences of both; also permitting of an elaborate and artistic interior decoration of the car if so desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a combined parlor and sleeping car wherein the weight of the supporting mechanism of the berths is constructed so as to be supported by the sides of the car below the top line of the windows when in use, and when folded lie against the side of the car, and thereby bringing the center of gravity nearer the rails and relieving the car of topheaviness, which is a serious objection in the present forms of construction.

Another object of our invention is to provide a combined parlor and sleeping car, or more particularly speaking, a berth in same that will consume very little time to form and to provide a simple and efficient means for forming the partition between the berths, and extending from the floor to the top of the car, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Further objects of our invention reside in the construction of a berth for sleeping-cars, boats, hotels and the like and efiicient means for folding the same when not in use in a compact manner; furthermore, that will be simple in construction, durable, effectual in its operation, and comparativelyinexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is the construction of a combined parlor and sleeping car with the arrangement of the car and berths in accordance with our invention whereby the upper berth may be ventilated 8c in an eificient manner, which has heretofore been impossible.

In connection with this application, we filed January 2, 1896, Serial No. 573,990, a companion application which contains illustrations, description and claims of certain subject-matter disclosed by this application.

With the above and other objects in view the invention finally consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more specifically described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and wherein like figures of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views, in which Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view of one side of the car, showing the same as used for a parlor-car. Fig. 2 is a trans verse vertical sectional view of one side of the car, showing the berths and partition in position. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a car, partly broken away, showing the relative position of the seats when used as a parlor-car. Fig. at is a plan view, partly in section, showing the seats as employed when in use for a parlor-car. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the left-hand portion, illustrating the slats in position when used on the upper berth, and the right-hand portion showing a berth ready for occupancy. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a chair or seat, partly in section. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the supporting-bracket. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the vertical sliding panels forming the partition and showing the telescoping slide in longitudinal section. Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view of one of the panels.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the panels, partly broken away. Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the guide-support. Figs. '12 and 13 are respectively plan views of the guides for the vertical sliding panels. Fig. 14 is a longitudinal horizontal section showing the bracket partly broken away. Fig. 15 is a vertical section showing the bracket locked in position. Fig. 16 is a vertical longitudinal section of the supporting-brace of the bracket or berth-support. 1 Fig. 17 is a side view of the bracket and support when in position, and indicated indotted lines when folded.

Referring to the drawings by figures, the reference-numeral 1 indicates the outer side or wall of the car, and 2 one of the supporting-beams of the car-frame. A double floor is provided in the car, as is shown by refer-' An inner wall 4 is also pro ence-figures 3 3. vided, the said walls 1 and 4 being suitably braced and are curved near their top as in the ordinary construction of a passenger-car.

To the wall of the car is secured a casting 5, to which are pivoted swinging brackets 6 6, forming the berth-supports, two of said brackets constituting the support for each berth. The castings 5 are suitably secured in the sides of the car between the windows, which allows'the swinging brackets 6 6 to swing outwardly on a vertical plane transversely across the car to a horizontal position. When the brackets are stored in the sides of the car in their casing, the ones forming the support for for the lower berth downwardly from their vertical position. The brackets 6 6 are pivoted at their inner ends, as shown at 7, and on the brackets constituting the support for the lower berths a heel 8 is formed, which is adapted to rest against a block 9 and arrests any further downward movement of the brackets when swung from a vertical to a horizontal position, and retains the same in this position.

The brackets 6 (l forming the upper-berth supports are similarly hinged at their inner end of the slats.

ends, but instead of being constructed with a heel, have formed on the inner end a rounded portion 10, and on the upper face with a slot 11, which engages a latch 12 and forms a lock to retain the brackets in position. The slot 11 is formed with an inclined face, the said face engaging the inclined face formed on the latch 12 to effectually lock the brackets. The latch 12 is pivotally attached to one end of an arm 13, said arm being pivoted at its center and the other end being connected to a rod 14, extending in the space between the outer and inner walls of the car where it is connected at its lower end to a bell-crank 15, which is likewise connected to a rod 16, similarly connected to an operating-arm 17, the said operating-arm 17 being connected to a rod 18, extending upward through the floors of the car and engaging a foot-plate 19. The latch 12 is provided with a spring 20, which forces the same into engagement with the slot 11.

Arranged near the topof the car-line is a sprocket-wheel 21, and a sprocket-wheel 22 is secured at the point where the car-line curves, and a sprocket-chain 23 is adapted to operate over the said wheels, one end of said chain being secured to a weight 24:, between the walls of the car, and the other end secured to the slidable fiexiblyconnected slats 25, a sprocket-chain being adapted to engage each The ends of the said slats operate through grooves 25, formed therefor in the brackets 6 6, and when-not in use will lie between the walls of the car, as will be fully apparent by referring to the drawings. The slidable flexibly-connected slats forming the berth-bottom for the lower berth are supported in the same manner by. the brackets and operate through the receptacle or groove 26 and the floors of the car, as is also clearly illustrated in the drawings. A stop 27 is provided between the floors of the car, which retains the slats in the'desired position. The outer rail 28 of the slidable flexibly-connected slats is constructed so as to form a part of the under side of the top window-casing, and thereby conceal the slot through which the slats are operated.

The reference-numeral 29 represents the partition for separating the sections when used for a sleeping-car, the said partition consisting of a series of slidably-connected vertical panels, which are connected to each other in a manner to admit of their sliding into the receptacle 30 formed therefor in the side of the car when not in 'use. Inserted in the lower end of each panel are two small rubbertired wheels 31 31, to insure easy and noise less manipulation of the panels, said wheels resting on a series of tracks 32, each track acting as a guide for a separate panel. The panels are connected at their center bya casting 33, which is slotted on one side as shown at 34:, and on the other side is formed a projecting shoulder 35, the said shoulder of one panel engaging in the slot 34: of the ad- IIO joining panel. 011 the outer side'of the projecting shoulder. is arranged a pin 36, operating in a groove 37, formed on the inner surface of the slot 34. The said slot 34 is open at both ends, and the groove 37 is closed at both ends, which serves as a stop to the pin 36. This construct-ion prevents the panels from disengagement with each other when pulled out. The top of the panels are each made in the form of a tenon 38, which engages a series of grooves 39 39 on the under side of the sliding support 40, which serves as a guide for the top of the panels. A sliding telescopic guiding-support 41 is arranged at the top of the panels, of which 42 indicates the outer casting in which the panel-guide operates.

Above the sliding guide 40 is arranged a tele- 1 scopic slide 48, on the outer end of which is closed.

side of the car between the receptacles of the supporting-brackets of the adjoining berths. Suitable windows 2 are arranged in the car. The latter may be of the ordinary and wellknown construction.

As the berths in our improved combined parlor and sleeping car are formed independently of the seats, a seat of the folding type is constructed in order that sufficient space is obtained for the storing of the mattresses, blankets and other necessary accoutrements underneath the seat.

The seat proper, 52, is supported on a base 53, to which the outer arm 54 is rigidly secured. A riser-board 55 extends the full length of the seat, and is hinged to the front thereof, at its base. The seat-bottom 52 is pivoted on its underneath side to the top of the base on the end next the aisle and on the inside wall of the car the seat-bottom is sup ported at the front by the riser-board 55. The back 56 of the seat is hinged at its lower edge to the base 53, and a stop57 is arranged on the inside of the arm 54 and the inner wall" of the car, and placed in the arm 54 is a springlatch for the purpose of retaining the seatback securely in position.

In Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings we have shown a diiferent arrangement of construction for supporting the berths, which consists in an arm 58, hinged in the center and pivotally secured at the lower end in the side of the car in any suit-able manner, and the upper end is pivotally attached to the bracket 6 6. The arm 58 being hinged at the center allows the same to fold in the receptacle provided for the brackets in the manner shown in dotted lines in Fig. 17, and the brace or arm 58 is also provided on each portion thereof with a projection or lip 59, which engage each other when the brace 58 is in a supporting position, and serve to retain the same. In order to make this brace more secure, and

retain the same in a supporting position, a

groove 60 is formed on one halfof the brace 58 and extends in alinement therewith a short distance and into the other half of the brace 58 the said groove extends a suificient distance to provide space for a shank 61, carryin g a locking-bar 62, said barhaving a tapered face. The shank also carries-a spiral spring 62, the latter serving to force the locking-bar 62 into the portion of the groove 60 extending'into the engaging half of the supportingbrace 58. A groove 64 is formed in the portion of the supporting-brace carrying the locking mechanism, of sufiicient size to admit of a bell-crank portion 65,'formed on the shank 61. A keyhole 66 is provided through this section of the brace 58, and at a point in the groove 64, that will admit of a key being inserted to engage the bell-crank 65, to withdraw the locking-bar 62 from engagement with the other half of the supporting-brace 58, when the keyis turned, and thus allowing the brace to fold in a manner as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 17.

The reference-figure 67 indicates a mattress, which is preferably formed in sections in order that it may be compactly folded and stored in the receptacle provided beneath the seats.

The operation of forming aberth in our combined parlor and sleeping car is as follows: The sliding vertical panels 29 are extended out transversely across the car by a pull on the handle or knob 49 The rubbertired wheels arranged on the bottom of said panels engage and ride on the tracks provided therefor, and the connection of the panels as heretofore described, allows the operation to be easily performed. When the panels are being withdrawn from the receptacle in which they are stored, the front panel will engage the plinth-block 49 and when this point of the operation is reached the telescopic guide 48 will be withdrawn simultaneously, and forming a finish at the front portion of the top of the panels. When this operation has been completed, the lower brackets or berthsupports 6 6 are swung downwardly from the sides of the car where they are stored to a horizontal position. The bracket orberth-support for the upper berth is then swung upwardly slightly beyond a horizontal position, or until the point of contactbetween the rear end of the bracket or support and the latch 12 is passed, when the said latch 12 will be forced into engagement with the slot 11, formed in the bracket, by the action of the spring 20. The said bracket 6 will then be suspended in a hori zontal position after this operation, and will be securely retained in this position by reason of the inclined face of the latch 12 engaging the incline of the slot 11, effectually locking the same until released therefrom. The slidable flexible connected slats are then drawn out and ride in the grooves formed lengthwise in the brackets forming the berth-supports, and when extended the width of the berth, can be secured in this position by a spring-catch arranged in the brackets, or by securing the front slat to the end of the brackets, orin any other suitable manner. hen the slats have thus been secured to the brackets, any lateral motion of the same will be prevented, and the upper berth is then ready for the reception of the mattress and bedding. In order to complete the formation of the lower berth, the bottom of the seat is lifted and tilted to the position shown in dotted lines, and the riserboard 55 is dropped to the position also indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6 of the drawings, thereby completely exposing the mattress and bedding contained in the receptacle beneath the seat, which can then be placed in position on the upper berth. The bedding having been removed, and the riser-board being allowed to remain in the position as heretofore stated, it will be apparent that the seat will be allowed to drop to the position as indicated by the lower dotted lines, Fig. 6. \Vhen this operation is completed, the back 56 of the seat can be tilted forward where it will rest in a horizontal position, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. (i. The seat and back thereof are then entirely below the line of the lower berth-bottom, and the slats forming the berth for this bed-bottom can then be withdrawn from the groove formed for the same as heretofore described, and secured to the ends of the lower-berth brackets or supports in a similar manner as described for securing the slats of the upper berth, and the mattresses and bedding then placed thereon, ready for occupancy. hen it is desired to store the berths again, and convert the sleeping-car into a parlor-car, it will be observed that when the mattresses and bedding have been removed from the lower berths the front slat is released from engagement with the supporting-brackets, and the slats can then be returned into the receptacle or groove 26 in which they are stored, and the supportingbrackets of the lower berth can then be raised upward to their vertical position in the receptacle formed therefor in the side of the car,

and the seat-back placed in its normal posi-' is then lifted slightly at the forward end, which will relieve the pressure of the lug (formed on the rear end of the bracket by the slot 11) against the catch 12, when the pressure is then brought to bear upon the foot-plate 19, thereby operating the series of arms and levers extending beneath the floor, between the sides of the car, and connected to the latch 12, for withdrawing the same from its engagement with the slot 11, and allowing the bracket to swing downwardly in proper position in the receptacle formed in the side of the car. The sliding panels having been also returned to their receptacle in the side of the car, which operation has heretofore been described, and the seat-bottoms having been placed in their normal position, and the curtains removed, the caris again restored to the type of a parlor-car.

In the form of support for the upper berths which we have shown in Figs. 16 and 17 the operation of the support will be readily apparent, and can be used as the means of retaining the upper-berth supports in their position in lieu of the catch 12, and series of levers and arms operated by the footplate 19, if so desired. In this construction, the hinged brace having one end suitably secured to the side of the car, and the other to the bracket, allows the hinged brace to swing downwardly in the position shown in Fig. 17 of the drawin gs. \Vhile the brace is assuming its supporting position the inclined face of the lockingbar will engage the projection or lip 59, and when it passes the point of contact will be forced downwardly by the spiral spring on the shank into the groove 60, thereby effectually locking the brace, and retaining the supportin g-bracket in its horizontal posi tionfor the reception of the slats as heretofore described. When it is desired to close the bracket, a key is inserted'and engages the bell-crank 65, withdrawing the locking-bar, and allowing the bracket to return to its receptacle, and the brace to fold as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 17 of the drawings.

lleretofore in the description and operation of our combined parlor and sleeping car, we have not referredto the front curtains, as no particular manner of supporting or arranging them forms a part of our invention, but the same maybedraped and supported in any suitable manner. By this novel form of construction of a sleeping-car, it will be noticed that when the berths are. formed, the upper berths are ventilated in an efficient manner, as the berth-supports are swung from the sides of the car and between the windows thereof. By this construction, the windows are not limited in height, thereby affording sufficient means for the ventilation of the upper berth, and providing better light when employed as a parlor-car, this being a great advantage, and heretofore impossible in the present type of cars by reason of the construction of the upper berth.

The supporting-brackets for the berths being stored in this manner, as heretofore described, cause the weight of the car to be brought to a point nearer the center of gravity, and further relieve the car of any topheaviness, caused by the storing of the berths and theirappurtenances above the top line of the window; furthermore, obviating the necessity of ballasting the car between the doublefloors to counterbalance the top-heaviness which is a detrimental feature of 'cars new in use.

The berth-supports may be made of aluminium should it be found necessary or desirable to further reduce the weight of the car, securing at the same time with the lightness of construction, durability and strength; furthermore, affording means for easy manipulation, as will be apparent from the foregoing description, and for this reason consuming but a minimum amount of time in the construction of the berths.

It will be noted that our novel form of partitions between the berths as heretofore fully described enables us to form a compartmentcar independent of the berths or seats if so desired. By this construct-ion, we are enabled to form a partition having the outer edge on a perpendicular line with the outer edge of the seats and extending from the floor to the top of the lower deck of the car, separating the berths or forming a compartment as the case may be, and making a partition of such strength and construction as to practically form a solid wall.

By the use of our novel form of telescopic sliding support, a firm and rigid bearing is secured when the panels are in use to hide the berths and is hidden from View when the panels are closed.

The underneath side of the slidable flexibly-connected slats can be finished in a suitable manner, and the vertical sliding panels forming the partition constructed so asto present an appearance to harmonize with the balance of the car, and it will be particularly noted that the contour lines of construction of the car have been retained throughout, thereby affording an opportunity for elaborate decorations and designing of the interior of the car if so desired.

The advantage for vessels, hotels and the like of our improved manner of storing and supporting berths will be readily apparent, as itis veryoften necessary that as little space be used as possible.

Numerous other advantages of our improved berth and manner of supporting same might be enumerated, and it will be noticed that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of our invention, and we therefore do not wish to limit ourselves to the specific construction as shown herein.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a combined sleeping and parlor car, a section therein provided with folding seats, the bottom of said seats pivotally suspended at its rear portion, the riser-board hinged at the bottom of the base normally supporting front of seat-bottom, in combination with a seat-back hinged at'its lower extremity to top of said base, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a combined sleeping and parlor car, a seat formed of a hinged riser-board, the bottom of said seat hinged at its rearward extremity, adapted to be lowered at an angle, in combination with a hinged back, substantially as described and'shown.

. 3. In a sleeping-berth formed of two supporting end brackets pivotally hinged at their .inner ends, in combination with a slidable bottom formed of connected slats, and means on the bracket for guiding and supporting the same, substantially as shown and described.

. 4. In a sleeping-berth formed of two supporting end brackets pivotally hinged at their inner ends, provided with a slidable bottom formed of flexibly-connectedslats, and means i on the bracket for guidingand supporting the 1 same in a horizontal position substantially as described.

5. In an upper berth a sliding bottom extending upwardly in a groove arranged be- I tween the walls of the car substantially as described and shown.

6. In an upper berth a bottom sliding in a groove on the inner edge of the berth-support, sliding upward in a continuous groove extending upward between the walls of the car, substantially as described.

7. In an upper berth formed by two support ing end brackets hinged at their inner ends, of flexibly-connected slats adapted to slide therein and extending upwardly between the walls of the car, substantially as described and shown.

8. In a lower berth formed by two supporting end brackets hinged at their inner ends, of flexibly-connected slats adapted to slide therein, and extending downwardly between the walls of the car and the floors thereof, substantially as shown and described.

9. In alower berth formed by two supporting end brackets hinged at their inner ends, of connected slats adapted to slide therein and extending downwardlybetween the walls of the car, substantially as described and shown.

10. An upper berth formed of two end supports swinging upwardly in a vertical plane, in combination with slidably flexibly connected slats forming the bottom thereof substantially as described.

11. In an upper berth formed by two supporting end brackets carrying slots in their upper face in combination with a sliding latch adaptedto engage said slots, substantially as described and shown.

12. In an upper berth formed of two end supports, provided on their upper sides with slots, at spring-pressed sliding latch engaging therein, in combination with a foot-plate and levers operating said latch, substantially as shown and described.

13. A lower berth formed of two end sup- IIO ports swinging downwardly in a vertical plane, in combination with slidable flexible connected slats forming the bottom thereof, substantially as described.

14. In a sleeping-car an upper-berth bedbottom formed of slidably flexible connected slats adapted to slide upwardly into a recess formed between the outer and inner Walls of the car, a chain attached to the end of said slats passing over sprocket-Wheels and carrying a counterbalance-Weight, substantially as described.

15. In a car, a partition for separating the sections thereof, consisting of a series of slidably-connected vertical panels, rubber-tired Wheels inserted in the lower end of each panel, a slotted casting connecting the panels at the center, said castings having shoulders, as and for the purpose described.

16. In the combination with a wall having a recess, a folding partition adapted to enter said recess, a track-support and guides for the bottom thereof, in combination with a sliding telescopic support at the top thereof, all parts being arranged and operating substantially as described.

17. In a car, apartition formed of a series of slidably-connected vertical panels, slotted castings connecting the sections of the panels, said castings having shoulders as described and pins arranged on the shoulders, as and for the purpose specified.

18. In a partition formed of a series of vertical sliding connected panels, each panel operating at the base on aseparate track, and at the top in guides, and operating in conjunction With a telescopic slide connected at its rear end to a coil balance-sprin g, substantially as shown and described.

19. In a sleeping-car an upper-berth bedbottom formed of slidable flexible slats adapted to slide upwardly into a recess formed between the outer and inner Walls of a car and a counterbalance-weight connected with the ends of the slats, as and for the purpose de scribed.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANKLIN T. REESE. CHARLES A. WILLIS. Vitnesses E. B. GOSLINE, WARREN W. REYNoL'Ds. 

